Weekend picks: Need a laugh? Sarah Colonna can help

Comedian Sarah Colonna performs at Zanies locations in Chicago, Rosemont and St. Charles.

See elephants, tigers, motorcycling tricksters and more when the "Circus Spectacular" comes to the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates.

The whole family can enjoy the 10th Annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza at Soldier Field.

Get an up-close look at baby chicks at the Spring Weekend at the Farm event at Susanna Farms in Lake Villa.Courtesy of Susanna Farms

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest winner Bill Cherry performed along with other finalists in "Elvis Lives" at the Rosemont Theatre. "Elvis Lives" will be performed twice on Saturday, March 23.

Dancers in Autumn Eckman's "G-Force," which returns to the repertory of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago for its run of spring performances at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago.Courtesy of Gorman Cook Photography

College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center presents Canadian-based Scrap Arts Music and their high-energy percussion and dance show at Ramsey Auditorium in Fermilab's Wilson Hall in Batavia on Saturday, March 23.

The ensemble Five By Design joins with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the special 1940s-themed show "Club Swing" at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.

Philippine Fest Chicago rolls into Navy Pier on March 24.

The Chicago Chamber Musicians will perform a classical concert at the Lily Reid Holt Memorial Chapel at Lake Forest College.Courtesy of Lake Forest College

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Spring craft showMore than 20 artisans will display gift baskets, clothing, garden art, floral designs and much more at the spring craft show at Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Food will be available for purchase. The event is sponsored by the Mount Prospect Park District. Admission is free. (847) 298-3500. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 23

Bluegrass celebrationThe 19th annual Great Northern Bluegrass Music Festival takes place this weekend at the Hyatt Regency, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. National touring acts and regional favorites will perform on all three days. Among the bluegrass artists on this year's bill are Special Consensus, the Boxcars, Copper Creek, Donna Ulisse & the Poor Mt. Boys and the Harmans. The festival also will include a guitar trade show, instrument workshops and more. Suburban bluegrass fans are lucky to have a festival with this much talent happen in their own backyard. Daily or weekend tickets are available at the door. For prices and a full schedule, go to bluegrassmidwest.com. Starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23, and 10 a.m. Sunday, March 24

Spring Weekend at the FarmTake part in Easter egg hunts, head out on a hayride and view baby chicks, hens and bull calves at the Spring Weekend at the Farm event at Susanna Farms, 24153 Town Line Road, Lake Villa. Guests can take part in the activities, which include a spring plant sale and viewings of the farm's miniature donkeys and horses. Admission is $2 per person; hayrides are $5. (847) 838-0798 or susannafarms.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24

Hound Egg HuntThe Palatine Park District hosts its Hound Egg Hunt for canines and their owners at Towne Square, 150 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. Dogs can hunt for eggs filled with dog treats. Each dog will receive a souvenir photo with a costumed bunny and a goody bag for collecting eggs. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, and also must wear current rabies vaccination tags. Admission is $6 in advance and $8 at the event. For details, call (847) 991-0333 or visit palatineparks.org. Noon Saturday, March 23

A woodpeckers' worldCan you walk vertically up a tree trunk or drum 20 times per second into that tree? Woodpeckers can. Learn more about them in the Wonderful Woodpeckers program at the Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills. After an educational presentation by staff, guests can search for woodpeckers in the woods. Free. (847) 381-6592 or fpdcc.com. 1 p.m. Saturday, March 23

Rock on KingsBilled as the "The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Event," "Elvis Lives" features some of the best impersonators of the legendary "King of Rock" Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15-$35; $70 limited VIP tickets. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23

'The Gathering'Improv Playhouse reprises its production of "The Gathering," Josephine Raciti Forsberg's contemporary adaptation of the Last Supper that takes place during a Seder. Shahab Astabraghpour, of Waukegan, stars as The Teacher in director David Brian Stuart's production at the theater, 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $22.50, $17.50 (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24

Celebrate swing Vocal and performing ensemble Five By Design joins again with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for a nostalgic look back at the 1940s with the show "Club Swing" this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $18-$68. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24

Pound it out Industrial cast offs never sounded so good thanks to the Canadian percussion ensemble ScrapArts Music, which returns to the area for a Saturday performance at Ramsey Auditorium in Fermilab's Wilson Hall, Kirk Road and Pine Street, Batavia. $30; $28 seniors; $15 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23

Southern songsContemporary Southern rock band Sister Hazel has cultivated a national following with its guitar-based music. The band hits Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, this weekend for an intimate show that will include songs from throughout its career, including tracks from its latest record, "Heartland Highway." $35. Go to viper-alley.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 23

Swim with the BunnyMeet the Easter Bunny at the Swim with the Bunny celebration at the Pavilion Aquatic Center, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. Youngsters are invited to play games, swim and collect Easter eggs in the pool. Those eggs can be traded in for prizes. The Easter Bunny himself will be on hand to meet with children and pose for photos. Participants should bring a swim suit and a basket for collecting eggs. Registration is required by Saturday, March 23. Parents must register with their children. Cost is $5 for all adults; $7 for resident children and $10 for nonresident children. Sign up in person at the pavilion, call (847) 593-6248 or visit elkgroveparks.org. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 24

A tale of two rabbits"The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny" is featured onstage at the Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. This musical adaptation is based upon "The Tale of Peter Rabbit," the classic children's book written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. $10-$15. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 1 p.m. Sunday, March 24

Life is a carnivalCarnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, invites families to kick off the season with its annual Spring Break Family Night event. Festivities will include an action photo booth, face painter, balloon artist, stilt walker, magician, coloring stations, cotton candy station and a special kids menu. Free admission. (312) 850-5005 or www.carnivalechicago.com. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24

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